DRS to provide integrated voice communications systems aboard Navy cruisers and destroyers
KANATA, Ontario, 21 April 2015. U.S. Navy shipboard electronics experts needed integrated voice communications systems (IVCS) for Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers. They found their solution from DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. in Kanata, Ontario.
Officials of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic in Charleston, S.C., have awarded a $1.5 million contract to DRS to provide modernized integrated voice communications systems (IVCS) for cruisers and destroyers. The performance-based contract has a potential value of as much as $55 million, DRS officials say.
The IVCS is a computer-controlled telephone system that consists of two interconnected interior-communications switching centers, dial terminals, network terminals, terminal accessories and associated cabling, DRS officials say.
The system can be connected to a ship’s announcing system, shore telephone lines, radio communications, and certain battle sound-powered telephone circuits.
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The solution will capitalize on the DRS Secure Voice System with a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Avaya Aura Communication Manager unified communications platform from Avaya Government Solutions in Fairfax, Va., DRS officials say.
The IVCS equipment also has a qualified electronics rack and power distribution system from Dynalec Corp. in Sodus, N.Y., a specialist in sound-powered telephone technology.
The IVCS is a computer controlled voice communications system that is capable of providing modern, reliable, and survivable interior voice communications in Navy combatant ships, Navy officials say.
DRS experts will replace existing systems with a new Cruiser/Destroyer Modernization IVCS (CDMI). The CDMI represents end-to-end communications within the ship, interfaces to other shipboard systems, and to shipboard connection points with the Defense Switching Network (DSN) and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
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The CDMI will meet the same requirements and perform the same mission as the previous IVCS, but will support additional interfaces and system interoperability requirements. The contract to DRS is for one year with four one-year options.
DRS already is a supplier for the Cruiser and Destroyer AEGIS Modernization Secure Voice System ON-740, which is a mission-critical, tactical communications system for shipboard command and control, DRS officials say.
DRS delivered the ICVS systems to the DDG 51 ship construction and AEGIS modernization DDG 51 destroyers and CG 47 cruisers under a 2009-2014 prior contract. Installation of the IVCS is expected to begin this year.
For more information contact DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. online at www.drs.com, or the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic at www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Atlantic.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
